A total of 35 players, including Aaron Rodgers and backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, did not play in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Giants.
With several starters watching from the sidelines, Saturday’s game against the rival Giants was the final night for Jets players to prove they deserve one of the roster spots.
All 32 NFL teams must reduce their rosters from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Let’s examine the players who improved their chances and those who could be nervously sweating out the next three days.
Stock up
Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB
On the game’s opening kickoff, Jets cornerback Tre Swilling forced a fumble on Giants kick returner Ayir Asante, and Stiggers recovered the ball on the Giants’ 45-yard line. That fumble recovery helped set up an early 38-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
Stiggers has been impressive throughout training camp and the preseason. He is a player who always finds a way to be around the football. Stiggers has also displayed his excellent coverage skills by shadowing opposing wide receivers in joint practices.
With the way Stiggers has performed in the preseason, the Jets have even greater depth in their cornerback room. Of course, Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II are the Jets’ starting corners. But it has to be assuring to know if injuries occur. A guy like Stiggers, who was drafted in the fifth round, can fill in and be of immediate help.
Takk McKinley, DL
Jets coaches have praised how good Micheal Clemons has looked throughout training camp. However, McKinley is another defensive player who has earned a roster spot.
At the end of the first quarter, McKinley sacked Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito. He also registered another tackle for loss.
The Jets signed McKinley in June after he earned a roster spot during a tryout in mandatory minicamp. Throughout training camp, McKinley has shown excellent burst off the line and power to evade offensive linemen and get consistent pressure on quarterbacks.
Considering Haason Reddick‘s holdout and trade request, McKinley has to be a lock to make the roster.
Leonard Taylor III, DL
Taylor was an absolute wrecking ball on the defensive line against the Giants. He recorded sacks on three consecutive downs and was unblockable during the first half.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, Taylor told the Daily News that he is back to playing his natural position, the three-technique. That means Taylor is lining up over the guard’s outside shoulder, between the guard and the tackle.
This summer, Taylor has resembled the player who was once projected to be a first or second-round pick in the NFL Draft—not the one who played nose tackle at Miami and went undrafted.
Israel Abanikanda, RB
There has been debate about how many running backs the Jets will keep on their 53-man roster. Abanikanda made his case strongly against the Giants.
In the first half, Abanikanda rushed for 83 carries and a touchdown on nine carries. His highlight of the game was the 45-yard touchdown run in which three Giants players couldn’t bring him down to the turf.
Stock down
Zack Kuntz, TE
Kuntz has had a rough couple of weeks ahead of final cuts. Against the Panthers, he dropped a couple of passes, and that continued into the game against the Giants.
In the second quarter, Adrian Martinez had Kuntz open for a long pass play, but it went through the tight end’s hands. When they drafted Kuntz, the Jets knew he was a bit of a project coming out of Old Dominion. But his drops have been an issue, and there’s a chance Kuntz might not even make the practice squad.
Max Mitchell, OL
Mitchell needed to have a solid game to secure his spot on the roster. But a shoulder injury in the first half knocked him out of the game.
Now Mitchell will nervously wait to see if he makes the final roster. The Jets played Mitchell in the second half of the game against the Panthers, which is not usually a good sign for a veteran.